For the last 3 days I was taught how to clean, cook and show respect to nobility.

It wasn’t fun but at least it’s all over now.

They branded me like I was a piece of meat to be sold, this fucking artifact was kind of painful.

“Sorry Lifes, I said I wasn’t going to treat you like a slave but they ended up using the slavery artifact on you, I promise I’ll do my best to treat you well however.”

I sat next to the prince inside of the carriage and looked out the window at the passing trees, the wind felt nice and the air was fresh.

It all felt very much the opposite of being stuck in a cage, it felt freeing for some reason.

I put my hand on the window frame and leaned my head against it “Pr-Your highness, have you ever been to a dungeon before?”

“Wha-? Where’s that coming from? No I haven’t, I heard those places are incredibly dangerous and should be avoided, were you ever in one?”

What a boring answer… “Hmmm, how uninspiring, the ambitious prince has never been to a dungeon…

But jokes aside, you should try and join an expedition once, dungeons, they are special. I only ever visited one dungeon in my life, but I’ll probably remember this experience until I die.” I closed my eyes and imagined my time with Jake’s group.

I wonder where they are now and how they are doing…

***

We walked into the same old dorm house, it looked just like it did 14 days ago, I guess nothing really changed.

“So many things have changed since you left. But you probably know it better than anyone else.”

“What do you mean by that? I don’t think anything has changed at all.” I retorted

The guy looked at me and paused for a moment before closing his mouth into a curt smile.

“You don’t feel like you’ve changed at all, Lifes?” He asked.

“What? No…? And what would you know? You don’t even know me; certainly not enough to know that I’ve changed in any meaningful way. Also, weren't we talking about things in Mil-Ansk?”

Red hair averted his gaze and softly mumbled “Right…” his voice trailed off at the end.

What’s with this guy? Why is he acting all hot and cold with me all the time? And why does he remind me of Ostel so much?

“Well let’s forget all of that, Roger is still a roommate in this dorm right now and this is something I should tell you in general as well.

Lifes, you are prohibited from exhibiting any level of physical aggression towards other people while we’re contracted with the Slaver’s Trade Company. Is that clear?”

“The ice is boiling again… Whatever, I never want to get into it with anybody regardless of what you say, and I’m not looking to defend anybody either so don’t expect me to play bodyguard for you.” Truth is, I’m kind of scared… I had this feeling while facing Zick as well.

I don’t understand what it is but, my hands keep trembling and my stomach turns whenever I get into an altercation recently.

Than there’s the kitchen worker in the palace that sent me over the edge with this fucking magic word. I need to be careful.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“The ice is boiling again…? Whatever, just know that even if you don’t want to attack somebody, the slavery artifact’s Seal will prevent you from doing so without my explicit commands.” Leonardo said as he opened the door to his room.

“Pfft, pahahaha, good one!” I couldn’t hold back the laugh when he repeated my sentence back to me.

The guy stopped and stared at me, I looked into his eyes probably for the first time since we reunited and felt a stinging sensation in my chest.

His small smile that didn’t reach the eyes didn’t seem as ridiculous as before, it seemed more… desperate?

The noble prince dropped his head and shoulders, let out a hollow laugh and walked into his room.

Thinking back on it, I sort of wish I had looked him in the eyes when we talked on the marble bench at the palace, his voice sounded much more filled with pride and hope.

I wonder what changed… Or is it just my perspective that changed?

Either way, I don’t care about this guy right now, I need to figure out what my next goal.

Before we left Silvermoon, Niya came to meet me and said Kiyoko had died from poisoning and that she will inherit Slayer and make it into a real orphanage.

She said that Kiyoko smiled and cried when Niya told her about Jake’s reaction like I asked her to. Niya probably hates me now, good.

Why did I help this monster get a closure like this, she didn’t deserve it, just like I don’t deserve this life that she forced on me!

My vision became a little distorted, I felt dizzy and decided to go to sleep.

***

I walked out of my room on the 2nd floor and before I reached the stairs a voice called loudly “Tch, look who made his way back here, filthy creature, I don’t understand what Leo expects to achieve by having a murderer like you at his side, disgusting.

Just looking at you makes my blood boil, please hurry up and die already.” Baldy, or I guess Roger was his name? Regardless, that’s a nice greeting I guess.

“Fuck off baldy, I’m not in the mood for your shit.”

“Oh, not in the mood is it? Who the fuck cares if you’re in the m-”

“Did your brain fall out of your head together with your hair? Why are you still talking to me? Didn’t you hear? The last student who spoke to me died.” I cut him off.

He swallowed loudly and opened his mouth to speak before biting his lip and turning around to leave for school “Leo might accept you, but I never will. I will make sure you suffer in this school.” He opened the door to leave and I spoke up one last time.

“I’m sure you will, I do hate sunlight in my eyes and your head is a very good conductor for that.”

“Lifes, please don’t think too badly o-”

“Now where did you come from? and would you fucking stop with this nice guy act? I hate it more than the bald piece of trash, fake people make me sick.

You thought you could buy my sympathy with acting all exhausted yesterday? fuck that, I’m never going to trust you or care about you!” I tried to look at the prince but when I met his shocked expression my body trembled a bit and I bit my lip in frustration.

“W-what? Lifes, what are you talking about? Are you even talking to me? I’m not trying to buy any sympathy, I’m just tired.

Didn’t I tell you already that I hate having to pretend? I’m not trying to put an act in front of you! Why do you hate me so much?

I don’t understand you at all…” The prince just let out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose before picking up a kitchen knife and starting to cut vegetables.

Why do I hate you so much? Is he really asking me that? Why do I hate him so much…?

I wasn’t sure, maybe hate is the wrong term. I feel a type of revulsion towards this guy, I feel like I need to stay away from him. If I don't, something bad will happen.

“Do you want something to eat? I know you’re technically the slave here but I can cook for us today…” He mixed something in a bowl and didn’t bother turning around to ask that.

I felt my stomach growling and realized how hungry I am.

“S-sure…” Maybe I need to tone down the temperature a little bit, sadly I’m not the one cooking so just the language will have to do.

“Don’t we need to head out to school though? do we really have time for a fancy breakfast right now?” I asked.

“Pfft, who’s acting all hot and cold now…? Regardless, there’s an hour until the first class starts, you’ll be learning in my class from now on by the way, so with people 3 years older than you.”

Tch, this fucking guy. But he’s right, what even came over me to ask that… I need to disengage from this relationship a little bit more. Or, do I even need to? Why does it feel like I do?